Travel – Hikes – Road Trips

nature

Noordhoek Beach is over 8 km long. At one end is Chapman’s Peak, and at the other, the Slangkop Lighthouse.

The town of Noordhoek can be accessed either from the scenic coastal road, Chapman’s Peak Drive, which leads out of Hout Bay or via the mountain road Ou Kaapse Weg, which cuts through Silvermine Nature Reserve, or past Cape Point Nature Reserve.

This walk will take about 40 minutes each way. From the parking lot on the Chapman’s Peak side of the beach, simply follow the boardwalk down to the sand and turn left. Towards the Kommetjie side of the beach you’ll find the shipwreck lying high and dry.

We started and ended our hike at the Slangkop Lighthouse parking lot outside the town of Kommetjie. We followed the boardwalk from there and then walked all along the beach to the Kakapo Shipwreck. Here we had a picnic before heading back. It is an easy almost 10km walk.

There are toilets on Noordhoek Beach and two streams to cross, so you might get your feet/shoes wet, depending on the time of year.

Other than the cold water, this beach is amazing, and is home to horses, dogs, walkers, runners, sea birds and surfers.

The Slangkop Lighthouse is the tallest cast-iron lighthouse along South African coastline. Construction was due to be completed in 1914 and a brass sign was commissioned for this date, but due to the First World War the lighthouse wasn’t completed until 1919, although definitely in use before that date. The lighthouse became fully automated in 1979, but is still one of the few lighthouses in the world to be manned by a lighthouse-keeper. Visiting hours with a minimal entrance fee: – Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, with an half hour break between 12.00 and 12.30 pm. Closed over weekends and public holidays. In May 1900, a steamship, named the Kakapo, (after a parrot found in New Zealand), was on her maiden voyage from Wales to Australia. After leaving Table Bay Harbour a north westerly gale had picked up and with visibility impaired by strong winds and rain, the captain mistook Chapman’s Peak for Cape Point, and the Kakapo ran ashore on Noordhoek Beach. No lives were lost as the crew of twenty managed to scramble ashore. All attempts to pull the vessel off the beach failed. Today all that is left of the Kakapo are its boilers and what is left of her hull poking up through the sand.

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We took the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton, Whitbey Island. There is a ferry every 30 minutes and the crossing took 20 minutes. We paid $10.60 for our vehicle and 3 people.

Once there, we filled up on gas.

We leisurely drove around and stop when we saw something interesting and beautiful like this beach full of driftwood.

Next stop was the Fort Casey State Park. Inside the park is picnic areas, a camp site and a scenic trail.

The century old Admiralty Head Lighthouse with its Spanish style is not a working lighthouse anymore, but is open to visitors to learn more about it’s history.

The US Army constructed Fort Casey and 2 other forts as part of a new defense system. The forts protected the naval shipyard and towns of the Puget Sound. Soldiers were stationed here from 1899 to 1945. Many of the steel guns were mounted on disappearing carriages, which lowered the guns out of sight when not in use.

Next stop was the lavender fields at Lavender Wind Farm. The farm offers a stunning view of the Olympic Mountain.

After spending some time amongst the lavender, we had a lunch break at Oak Harbor.

I spotted a few interesting statues here.

Our next stop was Deception Pass Bridge with it’s amazing views.

And then it was time to go home… with beautiful memories of lovely day.

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A beautiful hike through the forest to view the Big Four Mountain and caves beneath the snow.

Location: North Cascades – Mountain Loop Highway

Lengh: 2.2 miles, round-trip

Difficulty: Easy

Driving directions :

From 1-5 in Everett, take exit 194 for Snohomish /Wenatchee, then take exit 204 for Lake Stevens. Turn left after 2 miles onto highway 9/9N Granite Falls, then onto Quarry Road. At the stop sign turn left onto the Mountain Loop Highway. Continue until you get to a signpost for the Ice Caves Trailhead. Here you will find a parking lot and toilets, as well as a self service pay station for a Northwest Forest Pass, which is required for the trail.

Start at the parking lot and follow the the pathway through the woods.

There is a aluminium bridge over the Stillaguamish River. The bridge was built to withstand flooding.

In a few steps you will cross Ice Creek, just before it flows into the Stillaguamish.

The path continues on a gentle upward grade through the forest.

Continuing on, the trail breaks out into an open meadow. Here you have a good view of the Big Four Mountain, ice caves and waterfalls.

The trail ends in a circle of rocks perfect for admiring the caves, mountain and waterfalls.

Beautiful flowers to admire along the way 🌻🌼🌸

Don’t go near the caves, it is very dangerous. People have been killed here.

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Hiking in a scenic environment with unique rock formations.

Paarl is named after its 3 unusual granite rocks – Paarl, Bretagne and Gordon Rocks – which date back more than 500 million years – the second largest granite outcrop in the world.

In 1657 Abraham Gabemma set out inland from Cape Town to search for new meat resources. It was after a rainstorm when he saw a mountain in the distance, with a giant granite rock which glistened like a wet pearl in the sun. He named the mountain “Peerleberg” (Pearl Mountain), which later became Paarl Mountain and the town that evolved at its base was named Paarl.

The town of Paarl is about 60 km from central Cape Town along the N1 Highway. Take the Paarl Main Road turnoff from the N1 (exit 55 for R45), continue for about 1,5 km and turn left onto Jan Phillips Mountain Drive, a gravel road. The road was opened in 1928 and was built by Jan Philips, a well-known wagon builder. Follow the road up the mountain until a T-junction, where one turns right towards the Millwater (Meulwater) Wild Flower Garden and picnic site. You can park your car here and start exploring. No entrance fee from here.

There is a number of trails criss crossing the reserve, ranging from 2.5 up to 10km. The most impressive is the hike up Bretagne rock, with chains to help you along. You can start your hike up the hill from the toilets in the braai area and follow the white painted foot prints. It should take you about 2 hours out and back, depending on how much exploring you do. Do wear shoes with a good grip and a warm jacket. It could be very windy on top of the granite outcrops. Bring water and snacks when entering from Meulwater as there is no shop.

We started our hike through the magical wild flower garden. The garden was established just before World War II, by the Paarl Beautifying Society.

After a rather steep walk we came to a gate and Jeep track which we followed for about 4 km, with proteas and fynbos to admire.

At the Paarl Rock view point, we headed towards Bretagne and Gordon Rocks. Bretagne Rock looked very intimidating, but I made it to the top with the help of chains. Impressive 360 degree views from here. We even saw Table Mountain. And 2 of the 3 dams, Nantes and Bethel, which form part of a historic water purification system, supplying water to the town of Paarl since the 1800’s. And it was picnic time!!

Gordon’s Rock is for the serious rock climbers!

After a slow decent we went to Paarl Rock.

Here the old cannon which was used to signal the arrival of ships in Table Bay harbour, can still be seen. This particular cannon was stationed on a lookout point on the western side of Paarl Mountain. Some time after the Battle of Blaauwberg (1806) the cannon was removed, and dragged with a team of oxen to its present position on Paarl Rock.

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Planning a trip to Vanrhynsdorp and surrounds, or passing through? Why not stop and stretch your legs, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Vanrhynsdorp is a small town situated along the N7, also known as the Cape Namibia Route, and about 300 km or 3 hours drive from Cape Town. The town is located on the edge of the Nama Karoo, an area of semi-desert succulent vegetation.

What to see and do in Vanrhynsdorp

Take a picture of the Maskam Mountain, the flat, table-like mountain, which can be seen from a distance.

Start the day with a buffet breakfast atLesatsi Lodge. This lodge is just outside Vanrhynsdorp on the R27 towards Vredendal.

Make a wish. Throw a coin in the newly restored wishing fountain at Lesatsi Lodge.

Visit the Kokerboom Nursery at 74 Voortrekker street for indigenous succulents to buy or admire.

Baby Toes

Kitty

Donkey Ears

Visit the Historical Jail and take a step back in time. The old prison was built in 1895 from limestone and clay bricks. Now craft products and succulents are on display and for sale here.

Esta se Boerseep

The Old Jail

Take a stroll through the town.

Take the Vanrhynspass along the R27 towards Nieuwoudville. Leave the Western Cape and enter the Northern Cape. This pass is a must drive offering forever views over the Knersvlakte.

Visit the Waterfall on your way to Nieuwoudville…. Oops, no water.

And the quiver tree forest, which is the biggest, natural quiver tree forest in theworld. Some of these trees are more than 250 years old. I know….forest?

You can either turn back now, or visit Nieuwoudville which is about 50 km from Vanrhynsdorp.

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Planning a trip to Cape Point? Here is a few suggestions for a day trip, although there is so much more to do.

Cape Point is part of the Table Mountain National Park and is a must see when in Cape Town. It is home to the most beautiful indigenous plants, animals, birds, beaches, footpaths, scenic drives, 2 lighthouses, monuments, a phantom ship, picnic and braai sites, just 70 km from Cape Town.

How to get there:

Take the coastal road along Sea Point, Camps Bay, Llandudno to Hout Bay via the M6. From here take Chapman’s Peak Drive to Noordhoek, turn right and follow the directions through Scarborough. The entrance to the Park will be on your right. OR

Take the M3 to the end, turn left towards Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town. Continue along the coastal road to the entrance of the park on the left.

Unfortunately there is no public transport that goes all the way to Cape Point. Either do a self-drive, or go with a taxi or tour group.

Planning a trip to the West Coast? Why not visit the West Coast National Park.

The West Coast National Park is about 120 km from Cape Town along the R27. It surrounds the beautiful light blue water of the Langebaan Lagoon and to the west, the Atlantic Ocean. Opening times from 07h00 to 18h00, 19h00 in summer. Entrance fees ranges from R45 to R136, depending on nationality and time of year.

Things to do and see in the park :

See the spring flowers in the Potsberg section during August and September. The best time for flower viewing is from 10h00 on a sunny day. Most of the flowers won’t open on cloudy and rainy days. In the Postberg section you are asked to stay in your vehicle, but at the lookout point you can walk around. Here you will find bathroom facilities. Potsberg is open to the public only during August and September from 09h00 to 17h00.

Take a scenic drive through the park which is 27,500 hectares in size. Ask for a map at the gate. Be on the lookout for animals and birds. The largest concentration of mammals is in the Potsberg section. However they could be found throughout the rest of the reserve.

Be on the lookout for whales. During August to October the Southern Right Whale could be seen from Tsaarbank.

Bird watching throughout the park, or at one of the 4 bird hides.

Enjoy a picnic or braai at Kraalbaai or Tsaarbank. Just note that alkohol is not permitted at public areas such as picnic and braai sites, or at the beach and shores of the Lagoon. Bring along water, cool-drinks, snacks and food for a picnic. Visit http://www.sanparks.org for more information